The price of rice has risen suddenly; the coarse rice of last week which sold at Tk 35 is now selling for Tk 40 though hoarders cannot find any reason for the sudden price hike.
Retail traders say that due to low supply of rice, the price is high while buyers say that price is rising due to absence of proper monitoring. However, the increase of price is seen positively by agriculture minister Dr Abdur Razzak, who feels that price hike is benefitting the farmers.
Currently, coarse rice is selling for Tk 38 to Tk 40 while fine rice for Tk 50 to Tk 60. Last week, the latter sold for Tk 45 to Tk 50 while the former for Tk 30 to TK 35.
Rice trader of Karwan Bazar, Forhad Hossain, observes: “Due to fog and intense cold, trucks carrying rice could not come to the capital, which has impeded supply, triggering a price rise.”
Another trader has said: “The rent or trucks has increased which is now between Tk 22,000 and Tk 26,000 instead of Tk 18,000 and Tk 20,000.”
General secretary of the Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mill Owners’ Association, Laek Ali, added: “In the northern district, the price of rice is low and there is ample supply. But even if the price increases we cannot take responsibility for it.”
However, the price can be impacted if truck rent has jumped due to a dip in temperature and fog, he added.
Meanwhile, agriculture minister, Dr Abdur Razzak, said: “The rise of the price of rice brings more profit for the farmer; if they don’t make enough profit how will then survive?
On the other hand, menial workers of the city expressed their dissatisfaction over the price hike, saying: “The price of essentials rise but our wages never do. There has to be a monitoring of the market.”
Additional secretary of the ministry of commerce, Sharifa Khan, adds: “The market is being monitored all year round by Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) so the allegation that market is not being monitored is not correct.”
If anyone raises price unethically then steps will be taken, he added.